We with spoke road racer Jacques Landry earlier today and found out that he is the National Development Team Coach (he will be taking a team to the Tour of Langkawi, more below). He was also very enthusiastic about the plans to take development riders to Europe in the spring for training and racing. So, of course, this led to the question: Does this mean that you are retired Jacques?

There was a pause on the line, and then "that sends chills down my back, but I guess I have to say it - yes, I am retired."

While we will be sorry to see him go from the peleton (Jacques has always been an exciting racer to follow in the press vehicle), it is good to see that his experience and passion for the sport will benefit young riders rising through the ranks. Jacques has also promised to keep us up to date on the national team as he travels around with them.

Best of luck in your new career, Jacques.

Tour of Langkawi, Malaysia

Jacques Landry will be the manager for the Canadian squad contesting this season-opening stage race (February 3-14). Canadians have traditionally done well in this race, with a number of stage wins and podium appearances. Jacques is hoping to see a repeat performance this year. He says that there are 5 confirmed riders so far:

A sixth rider is hoped to be confirmed by the end of the week - national champion Mark Walters.

Madsen Update

Steen Madsen has launched a formal appeal of the suspension he received for a positive doping test (see reports in Daily News on December 17th and 18th, 1998). After a letter of protest on the testing procedure was turned down, Madsen, through his lawyer, launched a formal appeal. It is expected that the appeal hearing will be held before the end of January.

For those who may not remember, Rocky Mountain House was the site of a mass boycott last season by almost all of the top downhillers in Canada who follow the Canada Cup circuit. Their complaints included no chairlift, lack of onsite facilities (including medical) and distance from a major centre. On the other side of the equation, the organizer met all Canada Cup requirements, and received a clean report from the chief official (and passed the pre-race inspection by the CCA). RMH had been awarded the national championships for 1999, but agreed to forgo them in the interests of peace. The organizers then took back their previously awarded Canada Cup sanction. Since there has been a formal protest, it means that the CCA Executive will have to review the sanction that had been awarded to RMH and come up with a resolution to the matter.